Posted on 08/25/2006 5:48:46 PM PDT by sionnsar
Guess who might be coming to the NatCat?
The former president of Iran has been invited to speak at the Washington National Cathedral on Sept. 7 on the role Judaism, Christianity and Islam can play in forging world peace.
In a statement released on Aug. 22, the Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd, III, dean of the cathedral, called the former president a man of peace and moderation.
“President Khatami’s commitment to a dialogue between civilizations and cultures is an important component in the peace process. This is much needed in the world today,” Dean Lloyd said.
The Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, the cathedral’s director of the Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation welcomed President Khatami’s visit during a period of heightened global tensions.
“The cathedral is a place of reconciliation that opens its doors to people of all faiths, and we have a special commitment to embracing the children of Abraham,” he said. “We have found that the cathedral is an important platform for dialogue and open discussion.”
George Conger wonders if Lloyd and Peterson have read the newspapers in the last, oh, five or six years.
While the granting of a visa by the State Department to a former president of Iran would mark a significant opening in U.S. policy toward one of the three nations termed the “Axis of Evil” by President George W. Bush, the invitation by the National Cathedral for President Khatami to speak on religious dialogue and tolerance has been questioned by human rights activists and Jewish groups.
While he entered office with the reputation of a reformer, President Khatami has backed the recent call by Iranian President Ahmadinejad for the annihilation of Israel, and as president in 2000 told Iranian television that God commanded the faithful to kill the wicked. “We should mobilize the whole Islamic world for a sharp confrontation with the Zionist regime,” he said.
Michael Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute, an expert on Iran, commented at the National Review Online that “to invite Khatami to the National Cathedral to talk about tolerance is equivalent to inviting David Duke to talk about race relations.”
Let's see. Khatami's been invited to speak "on the role Judaism, Christianity and Islam can play in forging world peace." I'm guessing that Khats will suggest that the Jews can forge world peace by killing themselves, getting Israel to commit seppuku or both. And Christians can forge world peace by dropping this died-on-the-Cross-for-the-sins-of-the-world stuff and becoming adherents of the Islamic religion. Glad to help, Sammy.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Are you taking bets as to whether she will get ANY response?
My money's on these people being so close-minded that they will stick their fingers in their ears and go "la la la I can't hear you."
I'd sure like to see that letter.... ;-)
We like them a lot and give them all the business we can (which unfortunately for a nice Persian carpet is only once every 10 years or so . . . ) and send our friends to them.
So would I.
Nope. If I were, it's that she will get nothing in response.
Whoever reads it is going to develop blisters though, however he or she contains (flushes) it.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
The folks at the National Cathedral have been off their rockers for years. We used to ignore them, but they're like the crazy old aunt who finally managed to break out of the attic with an axe, we just couldn't pretend they weren't there any longer.
Laugh? Why?
We have the advantage. We have a wonderful family Persian restaurant in town. Ali and Farah and their daughters are delightful and warm people, the restaurant is considered (one of the?) top Persian restaurants in the Seattle area (the food is *wonderful*! I love both the Sabzi plate and the Shirazi salad for starters), and the prices are reasonable.
Ali is also quite the calligraphic artist, in a unique Persian style. My wife bought for me a printing of one of his compositions, a line from Jallal al-Din Rumi: "Listen to the reed / how it makes complaint / telling a tale of separation" -- just the thing for a piper...? It's framed, on a wall in my office.
I just thought you might think I was being silly. But I like the family and they are good and honest merchants.
There've been a few I've known with whom I'd be cautious, but my experience is that by and large, they are good and honorable people (and sharp traders too).
I only wish more FReepers knew Iranians personally.
AhmadiNejad is the monster front-man for the MONSTER that is ayatollah-controlled Iran!!!!
But no matter who the front-man is, it's still the same MONSTER!!!!
Once again, ECUSA/"TEC" proves its idiocy. I guess that its total heresy and self-absorption blinds it to the reality of the world!
I was really depressed to see that the Anglicans are doing their usual stupid stuff. The Episcopal cathedral in SF is a virtual hotbed of stupidity, with every PC issue that comes down the pike being featured at one of their events (known in other churches as services or liturgies). However, that's SF, and I had a faint hope that Episcopalians elsewhere wouldn't be quite so crazy.
Hope the Piskeys can get themselves together, because otherwise they will be waltzing their way to Mecca.
Since you asked, here is the letter I wrote to the higher-ups at the National Cathedral about their invitation to Mr. Khatami. I had it checked by several Iranian expatriots of various religious persuasions. They were glad that this American had chosen to speak out on behalf of those whose voices are being forcibly silenced. Feel free to send it on to interested friends who might also call or write. This Cathedral does not represent the people of the United States, nor is it really a church since it no longer exalts the Name of Almighty God.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
K*R*S*
#######
Redmond, WA
22 August, 2006
Jean F. Duff, M.A., M.Ph., Managing Director
Reverend Canon John L. Peterson, Director
Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation
Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington, D.C. 20016-5098
RE: Proposed Visit of Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
Madam and Sir,
I am outraged that you would even consider inviting Mr. Khatami to set foot on U.S soil, let alone visit our National Cathedral as a foreign dignitary. Why, in God’s Name, are you entertaining an emissary of Evil in what I consider to be our nation’s most holy site? How can you talk of peace with a man of war?
Our National Cathedral was originally conceived and built as a Church to the Honor and Glory of Almighty God – a Church for service to the People of the United States of America. Many Presidents, government employees and their families in times of deep national grief have come together there to worship Almighty God, to give thanks for “all His benefits” and to remember the dead whose lives of sacrifice have made a positive difference in our nation’s history. I am also aware that our National Cathedral is also being used for profane purposes. This awareness is a source of great grief and consternation to me.
I respectfully ask you to reconsider your invitation of Mr. Khatami as his presence here would dishonor the memory of those whose lives were counted as worthless under the Islamic régime that set its foundation on the violent overthrow of the legitimate ruler of the nation of Iran. The blood of innocent Persian people spilled in the streets of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and many other Iranian cities, towns and villages calls out to God. Christian martyrs whose words of hope for freedom are written in their own blood on the walls of Evin and other prisons are calling to God. The blood of women raped and stoned to death in holes in public squares cries out to God. And the voices of the orphans and the bereaved are still raised in the eternal question: WHY?
You have a duty before Almighty God to give an answer to these voices. I pray you will listen to the still small voice of God and repent.
Yours faithfully in Christ Jesus,
K*R*S*
American by the Grace of God
Redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
This American Anglican does not support the invitation in any way shape or form. See previous post (#16)
Wow. They ignored it, no doubt ... but wow, just the same.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.